God's wonderful new creation

The LORD's victory over the nations

1Who is this coming63.1-6: Is 34.5-17; Jr 49.7-22; Ez 25.12-14; 35.1-15; Am 1.11,12; Ob 1-14; Ml 1.2-5.

from Bozrah63.1 Bozrah: The main city of Edom. in Edom

with clothes stained red?

Who is this hero marching

in his glorious uniform?

“It's me, the LORD!

I have won the battle,

and I can save you!”

2What are those red spots?

Your clothes look stained

from trampling on grapes.63.2 trampling on grapes: This is one-way that grapes were crushed to make them into juice.

3“I alone trampled the grapes!63.3: a Rev 14.20; 19.15; b Rev 19.13.

None of the nations helped.

I trampled nations in my anger

and stained my clothes

with their blood.

4I did this because I wanted

to take revenge—

the time had come

to rescue my people.

5No one was there to help me63.5: Is 59.16.

or to give support;

my mighty arm won the battle,

strengthened by my anger.

6In my fury I trampled on nations

and made them drunk;

their blood poured out

everywhere on earth.”

The LORD's goodness to his people

7I will tell about the kind deeds

the LORD has done.

They deserve praise!

The LORD has shown mercy

to the people of Israel;

he has been kind and good.

8The LORD rescued his people,

and said, “They are mine.

They won't betray me.”

9It troubled the LORD

to see them in trouble,

and his angel saved them.63.9 It…them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

The LORD was truly merciful,

so he rescued his people.

He took them in his arms

and carried them all those years.

10Then the LORD's people

turned against him and made

his Holy Spirit sad.

So he became their enemy

and attacked them.

11But his people remembered

what had happened

during the time of Moses.63.11 But…Moses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

Didn't the LORD63.11 the LORD: Or “Moses”. bring them

and their leaders

safely through the sea?

Didn't he63.11 he: Or “Moses”. give them

his Holy Spirit?

12The glorious power of the LORD63.12: Ex 14.21.

marched beside Moses.

The LORD will be praised for ever

for dividing the sea.

13He led his people across

like horses running wild

without stumbling.

14His Spirit gave them rest,

just as cattle find rest

when led into a valley.63.14 His…valley: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

The name of the LORD was praised

for doing these things.

A prayer for mercy and help

15Please, LORD, look down

from your holy and glorious

home in the heavens

and see what's going on.

Have you lost interest?

Where is your power?

Show that you care about us63.15 us: Hebrew “me”.

and have mercy!

16Our ancestors Abraham and Jacob

have both rejected us.

But you are still our Father;

you have been our protector

since ancient times.

17Why did you make us turn away

from you, our LORD?

Why did you make us want

to disobey you?

Please change your mind!

We are your servants,

your very own people.

18For a little while,

your temple belonged to us;63.18 For…us: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

and now our enemies

have torn it down.

19We act as though you

had never ruled us

or called us your people.